Playing the Field

Taking the Field

This chapter is dedicated to the #BlackLivesMatter movement.
To my black sisters and brothers that are and have been suffering, I see you, I support you, I will stand in front of you when the start shooting. I will march with you, I will fight for your rights until I die.
To the protesters you guys are the real fucking heroes and I'm so fucking proud of you.
This is a long fight, but we will stand together and we will prevail. One of us bleeds, we all bleed.
#BlackLivesMatter
#BlackLivesMatter
Black Lives fucking Matter

******************

The game against Tennessee, my best friends college, was about to happen. The guys and I are in the locker room, suites up and receiving our pregame pep talk from the coaches.

I was lost in my own head. The roaring stadium, hyped vibe coming off my teammates in waves, didn't rattle me. ESPN was shooting the game and Tanner was counting on me to do my best.

After everything that's gonna on, especially the Brad Malcolm situation, has weighed on my mental health. I'm going to have to talk with Drill or Nia about this all. It's hard to juggle being a college student as well as a playing on national Tv and trying to maintain a social life.

Things with Landon are pretty much at a stalemate. It's obvious we have a connection but for whatever reason we have held back from making it official. Can I even handle a relationship at this stage in my life?

"We are both undefeated, but that ends today! Time to show Tennessee what real football looks like, you ready Auburn?" Coach yells.

The guys bang their helmets and hoot their approval.

"Now let's get out there and play some ball!"

With the words the guys began to jog towards the field.

I was slow to rise. Brooks fell in step next to me and says, "You're not yourself tonight. What's up, Skinner?"

I sigh, "I really dunno. My anxiety is just acting up today. I was normal last night."

"Woah, our brains malfunction without warning. Sit this one out if you need to."

I shake my head, "Absolutely can't. Way too much on the line. Plus Austin won't ever shut up about it. Hell no, we're playing and we're winning!"

It was the fourth quarter, we had six and a half minutes left and we were down two touchdowns. I almost threw an interception, thank God the ball flew between his hands.

Tennessee has the ball and their quarterback was highly underestimated by me. I also forgot what a great wide receiver Austin was. He knew exactly the perfect spot to be and never failed to catch the ball. It's like his hands were magnetic, him pulling off some of the sweetest catches I've ever seen.

I was going over the play book when Stanley say next to me and casually draped an arm on the back of the bench. "You're fucking up."

"Gee, thanks for the support, Stan."

He leans in, "No, thanks for finally showing that women have a place. And that's not on a mans field."

"You really wanna go there?" I narrow my eyes.

"Sweetie, it's been there. You and that fat fuck Karl don't deserve to be playing for Auburn, you're humiliating the college and the support. At least Karl is injecting his ass and proving himself. You're always gonna be a stain."